Council hears vandalism plea, tables finances report

DAVENPORT — Persistent vandalism including slashed tires, loosened lug nuts and stolen tools has plagued a local resident for months, leaving her feeling unsafe and frustrated with inadequate law enforcement responses.

The issues were raised during the Davenport City Council meeting Wednesday, Feb. 11, where the resident detailed ongoing harassment she linked to neighbors since October 2024, including blocked driveways, vehicle tampering, rock-throwing and surveillance.

The resident described repeated incidents of air being let out of tires, gas siphoning, and damaged property, noting costs exceeding hundreds of dollars for repairs.

She expressed dissatisfaction with sheriff’s deputies, saying she felt treated like a criminal and required excessive proof, with little action taken.

Council members classified it as a police matter but agreed to contact the sheriff’s office for assistance.

“Have you called the police every time there’s been an issue?” acting Mayor Pro Tem Patrick Katz asked.

“No, ‘cause I’m treated like I’m the criminal,” the resident replied.

“I do feel sorry,” Katz said. “If you’ve contacted the police, that’s about it, it is a police matter, unfortunately, I don’t believe it’s a city matter.”

“Yes, it is a police matter, not a city matter, but the police department works for us, correct?” Councilmember Michael Wilkinson said. “So I think we need to make a phone call or two and get this taken care of.”

“Like I said, I do sympathize with you,” Katz added. “That’s a horrible thing to go through. The best we can do is talk to them. I will personally talk to the sheriff just to see.”

“The best I could suggest to you is … get the cameras to record, and the more evidence you have, the more likely you get them,” he continued.

“But that puts the notice on me instead of them showing up at strategic times,” the resident said.

“I do appreciate you bringing it to the council,” Katz said. “We’ll talk to the sheriff personally.”

“Yeah, we’ll talk to them and see what we can do to help you out there,” he added. “I wish I could say more. I wish I could do more.”

“Well, I appreciate your concern, but I’m to the point where I’m feeling very unsafe,” the resident said.

In other public comment, Art Stevenson of the Davenport Lions Club urged continued city support for the annual cleanup project.

“I’m here just to encourage the continued participation of the city in the Cleanup Davenport Project that we do,” Stevenson said. “We’re asking for you to carry on, as you have in the past, both fiscally and if you would like to help, come on out. It really helps Davenport when we go out and clean up the city.”

“No, it’s been a great program. Appreciate you guys doing it,” Councilmember Lance Strite said.

“I think we all supported it,” Katz added.

Marcus Tanninen requested an exemption from impact fees for a new building on McInnis Road, citing minimal traffic and infrastructure use.

“I was gonna request an exemption of the impact fees for our new building over there off of McInnis Road,” Tanninen said. “My impact on the community is pretty small. You know, there’s less than 9 customers a day.”

“If the impact fees were more realistic, you know, I think it would encourage building and more businesses in Davenport,” he added.

In committee reports, the council tabled the fourth-quarter 2025 financial report until the next meeting after a motion failed with a 3-3 tie, broken by Katz’s nay vote.

“Can we have an opportunity to go through it?” Wilkinson asked. “I’m not a big one for rubber stamping anymore.”

No police report or mayor’s report was given, and there was no executive session or old business.

Under new business, the council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-03, accepting a request from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to annex two parcels into the city.

The parcels include one in the northeast quarter of Section 16, Township 25 North, Range 37 East, and another in the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 16, both in the Willamette Meridian.

The council also approved payment of claims and vouchers numbered 21994 through 22015 totaling $106,089.47, and payroll vouchers 21971 through 21993 totaling $71,655.75.

The agenda was confirmed at the start of the meeting, motioned by Wilkinson and seconded by Lance Strite.

Present were council members Michael Wilkinson, Chris Stein, Michael Strite, Heath Becker, Corry Hollis and Lance Strite, along with Clerk-Treasurer David Leath and City Administrator Steve Goemmel. Mayor Brad Sweet was absent, with Katz serving as mayor pro tem.